Christmas Books

Jeoffry takes us on a wondrous journey through the secretive world of the forest. Readers and listeners will feel the quiet as they track each adventure -- riding, jumping, climbing, wandering and finally flying!

Through a symphony of words and illustrations, Bryant and Sayles take us to that lost land where snow and stars merge, and animals feast like kings.

Children and their parents will love the peaceful and drifty feeling that Jeoffry's Christmas provides, as rhythmic and dream-like images "dance in their heads." Striking a balance between man and nature, Jeoffry leaves us in perfect harmony.

Uncommonly beautiful poetry, engaging story, good sentiment for troubled times.

PoetMary Bryant Bailey paints us a beautiful picture of giving in her book Jeoffry's Christmas. Isn't that what Christmas is all about.What a wonderful way to share that idea with children. Elizabeth Sayles soft illustrations compliment Mary's deserving verse.

When my now 22-31 year old children were very small...I stumbled across this book. Each night before dinner, we did the reading and prayer, and placed the ornament on a bare branch taken from one of our trees. Some nights were harder than others to make the time, (and to try to make sure that the beginning readers didn't have the longest and hardest readings!), but until they reached the college years, we did it! It is one of my fondest memories, as well as theirs. Now, I'm buying copies for their families...the roots grow deep when you plant with love.

The Jesse tree is a "tree" decorated with symbols of the forbearers of Jesus. They provide a devotion through Advent that teaches (or reminds one of) the Old Testament stories. There is no set group of stories that constitute an official Jesse tree, which allows the creative to adjust the tradition to meet specific needs. For those of us who need help with the art, this is an excellent collection with art that can be cut out and hung (the devotion will appear on the back of the ornament) or can be used in book form, simply leaving the appropriate symbol visible for the day. Of course, there are as many other options as those using the booklet can invent. The booklet also suggests which symbols should be omitted when Advent is less than its maximum length.

For each symbol a scriptural reading is suggested, a short reflection is given as is a final prayer.

Symbols include: the Jesse tree, the birth of life, Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Father Abraham, Isaac and the ram, Jacob and his dream, a symbol of prophecy, Jospeh and his coat, Moses and the law, the blessing of Aaron, Samuel and the Word of the Lord, David, symbol of shepherds, the wisdom of Solomon, Elijah and the Raven, Elisha and healing, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah the builder, angels, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Virgin Mary, Magnificat, the birth of John the Baptizer, Joseph of Nazareth, the symbol of Bethlehem and the birth of the Lord.

My only quibble with the list is that, in keeping with the geneology of Matthew, I would like to see Ruth included.

We were delighted to see that this little booklet is still available. My children (now approaching their 40's) used these pages to add to a branch (from the back yard) during Advent. We laminated the pages after cutting them out; they represent OT prophecies and NT stories to tell and retell the Christmas story. It's a tradition worth starting in your families.

This book has such cute pictures and simple words. I would recommend it for all toddlers. My 14 month old wants me to read it over and over. It is his favorite book.

My one-year-old is in love with this book! It has the cutest pictures of babies dressed up as snowman, angels and even a Christmas gift! Babies love looking at other babies, so this is a wonderful book if you have a child between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. I highly recommend it, and all the other books by Tom Arma.

My son LOVES this book. We read it every night, he is so fascinated with the babies and the images. The photographs are very clever and I enjoy looking at them also. The words are sparse and easy to follow for younger children.

This is a great gift for my family and friends. I think the humor and sensitivity of the season is right on. Its a colorful friendly way to let someone know they are a special friend. I am sure it will be read year after year.

Very origional. Fresh, fun, easy to relate to.. gets you in the Christmas spirit with it's humor and emotion. I will be buying them as gifts for all the people I love.

THIS BOOK IS A PERFECT GIFT FULL OF EMOTION AND SEASONAL CHARM. THE CLEAVER LOOK AT THE TRADITIONS OF THE HOLIDAY MAKE YOU LAUGH AND CRY. THE LENGTH OF THE BOOK IS ALSO NICE FOR EASY READING. IT'S A PERFECT GIFT FOR ANYONE TRAVELING THIS SEASON WHO WOULD ENJOY SOMETHING TO READ! I AM BUYING THIS BOOK FOR ALL MY FAMILY AND MY IN-LAWS!

As a member of Louise Borden's family, I'd deffinatly say that this book is worth buying. This book gave me the joyful feeling of being home for Christmas because my family has so many of the same traditions because the author is my aunt. The story is based on her life and ways of selebrating Christmas. A few months ago my family had to move to a diffrent location. When we were driveing to our new home I held this book in my arms thinking of the fact that when all of this moving was done then finaly my family would be home for Christmas. This book is deffinately worth buying!

My first experience with this book was through a book read aloud given at a writing workshop I recently attended. The teacher reading the book had invited Mrs. Borden to her classroom to read and discuss her writing. The story inspired me to remember some of the special Christmas traditions shared in our family. I'm going to read this book aloud to my class of seventh graders this coming week and ask them to recall some of those special Christmas memories of their own.

My first experience with this book was through a book read aloud given at a writing workshop I recently attended. The teacher reading the book had invited Mrs. Borden to her classroom to read and discuss her writing. The story inspired me to remember some of the special Christmas traditions shared in our family. I'm going to read this book aloud to my class of seventh graders this coming week and ask them to recall some of those special Christmas memories of their own.

My friend showed me this book. I, being a Kentucky author, had to read it. The wonderful skill and warmth shined through as I turned each page. This is a book that you would want to hang on to until next holiday season. I'm sure the same warmth and spirit will spread when you open it up next year.

I am a collector of Christmas books and with joy I have added this one to my library. I found that the memories evoked within the pages of Kentucky Christmas are touching and poignant without being overly sentimental. George Ella Lyon has captured the essence of Christmas through her collection of works by Kentucky authors. This is a book that I will pass on to my child and one that I will return to again and again.

Do you read your books and pass them on to friends and family, seriously depleting your library? Most of us who love reading and books do the same thing. "A Kentucky Christmas" is one of those rare books that will soon become a standard on your library shelf. You will be reluctant to let it leave your library.

Christmas is a season of many moods all competing for attention at a time when we are unusually pressured. The selections made by George Ella Lyon find ways to match our myriad of Christmas emotions.

Good friends will want to give the book early while they can steal a few minutes, a cup of tea and the delight of the very best of Christmas literature.

This is the story of Kipper, a quite sweetly painted watercolour dog by Mick Inkpen. Gorgeously simply, but beautifully coloured drawings. Kipper is out in the snow on Christmas Eve choosing a tree. He can't get it out but finally figures out how to do it. At the same time he dislodges a mouse. The only thing to notice this is Arnold who is a young pig (who doesn't talk yet) and his brother Pig. Pig helps Kipper get the tree back home, Arnold watches the mouse.

There are two parallel but intersecting stories in this and it is actually quite conceptually complex for children to understand. Firstly there is Arnold, who doesn't speak and his pursuit of the mouse - quietly - which none of the others notice or realise is there - so Kipper and Pig are decorating thinking the things Arnold is doing are decorating too. There is the strange appearance of Tiger one of Kipper's other dog friends who drops round iwth a present and a snowball to throw at Kipper. And Pig who goes to wrap up Kipper's present and comes back with it badly wrapped.

It is all the small things of life in a children's book - and all based around Kipper wondering if he likes Christmas day with its presents, or Christmas Eve with its anticipation of Christmas day the best. The really lovely thing about this book is that on the last page is a small flashing light which is the reindeer hat which Kipper has given Arnold. Arnold is wearing standing in the window waiting for Santa. The bulb takes quite a bit of hard wear from little fingers which have endlessly picked away at it since we got this book 3 years ago - it still works, so full marks for reliability!

My three year old daughter has had this book for two weeks (we got it after Christmas!) and asks me to read it to her at least several times a day - without giving too much away the surprise on the last page has her fascinated! The story is a really lovely one, Mum's and Dad's will enjoy it as much as the littlies!

Kipper's Christmas Eve is a delightful holiday book that will be a hit with all young children. Mick Inkpen's Kipper characters are darling as ever as they prepare for Christmas by finding and decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and waiting for Santa. There is a cute little stowaway mouse that children will enjoy looking for on each page and the lighted surprise at the end will be fun for all. This will be a great holiday book to read and reread.

THIS IS A LOVELY BOOK WHICH WILL GIVE HOURS OF PLEASURE. WELL WORTH BUYING.

Our daughter's name is Laura, so it is extra-special at our house. It is a great addition to our Christmas collection. Always a favorite bedtime story at holiday time!!

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS AND BELIEVING IN MAGIC.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COLORFUL AND THE SPARKLE OF STARLIGHT GIVE CHILDREN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO PAGE AFTER PAGE

I chose this book because I wanted to do a few ornaments, but now I want to sew every chart! The variety in this book includes ornaments, pillows, towels, clothes, napkins, table linens, stocking, tote bags, and more. Every design is easy to make and are truly "Quickies!"

I love this book! It has whimsical designs as well as country, religious and traditional, some elegant designs too. A wide range of projects including quickies and those that take more time. FULL COLOR CHARTS make the work easy.

This is truly a great book of quickies. I have used it for round robins, gifts and decorations around the house.

I've read this book every year since I discovered it in a thrift store four years ago. It's a touching story about a divorcee and a widower finding love. The best part? It's completely clean. You could let your daughter read this, because there's no sex, just romance.

All of the relationships in the book are wonderfully portrayed. I especially loved how Marti's son, Cameron, developed from a seemingly spoiled, sullen teenager into a well adjusted person. Every time I read the pivotal scene that makes you understand why this kid is such a brat, I start crying. It's just so touching.

The characters were well drawn (not just the hero and heroine, but everyone), and the struggles they all went through seemed completely real. I don't read that many Harlequin books, as not many of them are "keepers", but every now and then, you'll find a gem. This is one of them. You won't regret buying this book. I never did!

~

Let It Snow - at least while you're wrapped in

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-11-30

this heartwarming story of love. Sherry Lewis tugs at the heartstrings as she weaves a Christmas tale that is a true joy. Marti is coming home, trying to repair a relationship with her son, but in order to forge a new beginning she must learn to face the past. Rick is back in Colorado to face a few ghosts from his past as well. Seperately, both face difficult battles, but together anything seems possible. As their ghosts are put to rest, Marti and Rick find something wonderful in the aftermath - they find each other. Picking up any book written by Sherry Lewis is a pleasure, and Let It Snow was no exception. It was one of the best presents I gave myself during this busy holiday season!